Tommy Barrett calls for “confidence and composure” from his players as Limerick FC prepare for their biggest game of the season

Limerick FC manager Tommy Barrett has called on his players to be more clinical in front of goal for Friday’s penultimate relegation match with Finn Harps, November 2.

The former U19 manager saw his lacklustre side squander numerous chances as Ollie Horgan’s men earned a precious 1-0 victory at Finn Park on Monday.

However Barrett believes that with the right attitude, his depleted squad can turn the tie on its head on Friday.

“The main thing is to be as confident as we can be. We dominated the first leg in my opinion, but we have to learn to take our chances,” he says.

“We lacked that clinical finish in the final third, but if that changes on Friday I’m sure we can get the result we want.”

Barrett is currently operating a machine missing several key components in the form of goalkeeper Tommy Holland who suffered an ankle injury in Monday’s match, and winger Billy Dennehy is also a doubt with a hand injury.

Barrett does have the services of Connor Ellis, his first signing as Limerick manager, at his disposal and he admits the former Cork City striker could make the difference on Friday.

Photo: Limerick FC

“I’ve known Connor from U19 level, and he fitted the profile of the striker we were looking for at the start of the season.”

“He’s not got as many goals as he should have, but he bounced back from his hip injury and has contributed to the team in a lot of ways this season,” he added.

Twenty-two-year-old Ellis scores five goals in 29 appearances for John Caulfields Cork City before making the switch to Limerick in search of game time.

Barrett has called up the likes of UL student Will Fitzgerald and LIT’s Ger Barry to fill the void of injuries and admits he hopes to see students of Limerick coming to support the team.

“Of course I’d love to see students coming out to support the team. It’s going to be a great night of football hopefully with the right result at the end.

“Some students are only familiar with teams in England and don’t give the League of Ireland a chance. But we can play good football on our day and I hope they come to see it Friday”.

Limerick play Finn Harps on Friday November 2, with kick-off at 7.45pm at Market’s Field.